Retirement Coaching

Space to reflect and shape what comes next

Retirement is a personal change. Alongside the freedom and possibilities it brings, there can be questions about who we are, what matters to us and how we want to live. You may be preparing to leave work, gradually stepping back, or already retired and wondering what comes next. You don’t need to have the answers or a plan before we talk.

I offer one-to-one coaching to help you pause, reflect and explore the life you want now. Together, we can gather what you have learned, recognise what matters most to you, and discover possibilities that feel right for your circumstances.

Perhaps you want to contribute in a different way, explore something new, or find a more fulfilling balance between activity, relationships and time for yourself.
We begin with you: your experience, your questions and your hopes for what comes next.

Harvesting your experience

You bring much more into retirement than a career history. You bring a lifetime of relationships, skills, discoveries, challenges and experiences that have shaped who you are.

I use the word “harvesting” to describe gathering what you have learned and recognising its value for your life now.

Together, we can explore what you have enjoyed, what you have become good at, what difficult experiences have taught you, and what you have come to value most. We can also recognise what you are ready to put down.

Some of this experience may become the starting point for writing, mentoring, volunteering, a creative project or paid work. Some may help you make different choices about your time, relationships and everyday life.

You do not have to turn everything you have learned into another activity. Harvesting can also help you appreciate the life you have lived, recognise what is enough, and move forward with greater freedom.

Is this for you?

Retirement Coaching is ideal for men and women over 50 who are thinking of retiring in the next year or two, those who have recently retired, those who are looking to make more of their new life phase or those over 50 seeking a better structure to their personal, home and work activities.

Retirement coaching offers space to explore your situation, whether you feel excited, uncertain, unsettled or a mixture of all three.

You might want to:

Explore who you are beyond your job or professional role.
Make more time for relationships, interests and the things you love.
Discover ways to use your experience, with or without paid work.
Develop an idea or project that you have put aside.
Find companionship, community and a sense of belonging.

You don’t need a particular ambition or a problem to solve. Sometimes, a conversation begins simply with: “I’m not sure what I want next.”

Designing a personal bespoke programme for you and your situation

We will design a process with you in line with your needs. Here are some of the topics that we have already included for previous colleagues. See if any of these are relevant to your current situation:

I'm too young to retire – it's time to reposition and grow!
Time for doing and being – working out the right balance.
Harvesting your skills, expertise and experience - and putting it all to good use.
Clarifying and working out how to achieve your personal purpose.
Working from home – how we can make it work.
Structuring your day.
Earning the income you need.
Workpieces and workplaces – multiple projects, colleagues and places.
When the organisation is no longer there - where is our network and support structure?
Working through the emotional, psychological and practical aspects of no longer being in a structured career.
Exploring and 'playing' with new types of working arrangements – non-exec directors, associates, partners, advisors, consultants, coaches, etc.
Getting paid properly for your experience and expertise.
Sharing your experience and expertise with others.
You are not on your own or alone – creating your new ‘work’ network
Developing your personal retirement planning map structure and financial framework.
Your ‘existential crisis’ is quite normal.
Men sheds for ex-Executives – where is your hut?
Can I really start a new career?
What is the best way to apply for jobs when you're over 50?
I want to keep working but in the same/different field.
Retirement is disruptive! How can I best prepare?
Loneliness and uncertainty can be a normal part of the retirement process - techniques to deal with this.

How we work together

Much of my working life has involved helping people recognise their potential, develop ideas and find ways to work together. Through coaching, writing and business development, I have supported people as they consider their direction and explore new possibilities.

We begin with an informal conversation about your situation and what you would like help to explore. This gives us both an opportunity to see whether working together feels right for you.

If you decide to continue, we agree an approach that suits your needs. You may want a few focused conversations about a particular change, or ongoing support as you prepare for retirement and settle into a different way of life.

Our sessions offer time to think aloud, ask questions and explore possibilities. I bring listening, encouragement, practical ideas and a fresh perspective. Together, we can make sense of what is emerging and identify steps you would like to take.

Between conversations, you may choose to reflect on a question, try something new or explore an idea. We then look at what you have discovered and build from there.

The pace and direction are agreed with you. There is room for uncertainty, changes of mind and possibilities you hadn’t previously considered.

Designing your 6 month process

Our 6 month process with you is made up of a range of activities and inputs. Can you identify if any of the following might help your development and future?

Monthly coaching sessions on Zoom.
In person Coaching sessions.
Half day 'one to one' Development Sessions focusing on key topics.
Mini Secondments and Projects designed to build or supplement your experience in new areas.
Becoming a Freelance Consultant.
Helping you to become a Non-Executive Director.
Training you to become a successful Coach and so utilise your previous experience.
Voluntary sector consultancy projects.
Developing and/or delivering training initiatives and facilitation projects.
Developing your personal Presentation Skills to help you become a paid Speaker.
Research and writing initiatives - and helping you to be a published author on Amazon.

Successful retirement (however we define it) is not a one-day course or a quick fix. It's the effective realisation of our life's work and purpose.

Our Retirement coaching clients also have access to a wide range of Diversiton and Work it Out! projects across the UK and Republic of Ireland in areas such as income generation, inclusion, underemployment, enterprise development and business start-up, empowerment, diversity, spirituality and religion, publishing, speaking and presenting, and much more.

Informal Chat

Please get in touch with Des McCabe if you would like to discuss your situation. There is no obligation or expectation on our part - and obviously no cost to explore if we may be able to support you.

Ready to get started - book a session

Get moving now on the most important part of your life. Book a two hour session now for only £195 ($299) - Please email Des McCabe - [email protected] or call 07717 203325